Franklinia alatamaha classic round sticker

Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha) is the only plant in its genus. It was named for Benjamin Franklin by his close friend, botanist and plantsman John Bartram. Bartram, a Quaker, was the first American-born botanist and started a native plant nursery in Philadelphia. He also developed improved farming methods and criticized other farmers for planting nothing but corn and tobacco, both of which deplete the soil, making the farms less productive. Bartram and his son found the Franklinia in Georgia in 1765. It was once native to the Eastern US but was last seen in the wild in 1803; it now only exists in propagation (ie, botanic gardens). As of 2003 there were only a few thousand left in the world. The unique Franklinia, with its beautiful flowers and lovely fall colour, is likely not the first native plant to disappear from the wild and probably won't be the last. If you are lucky enough to live near a garden with a Franklinia, please visit it and support any efforts to care for and propagate this beautiful plant. If not, these decals can be a great way to educate the public, say thank you to gardeners and volunteers, or just brighten you day knowing that humans can make a difference in preserving the natural world.